Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX)

Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX), developed by Locomalito and Gryzor87 and published by Abylight Studios, is a fiercely dedicated homage to classic arcade action platformers, built with a level of authenticity that goes far beyond surface-level nostalgia. It doesn’t merely imitate the look and feel of late-1980s games—it fully embraces their design philosophy, including their uncompromising difficulty, straightforward mechanics, and reliance on player mastery. At the same time, it introduces just enough refinement to keep the experience from feeling archaic, resulting in a game that feels like a lost relic from the past, carefully restored with modern awareness. Set in a dark reinterpretation of medieval Spain, the game draws heavily from European folklore and regional myth, giving it a distinctive identity rarely seen in retro-inspired titles. You take on the role of Don Ramiro, a knight tasked with confronting a demonic outbreak that has spread across the land. The narrative itself is minimal and largely delivered through brief scenes and environmental context, but the cultural inspiration gives the world a strong sense of place. Enemies, locations, and themes feel rooted in specific traditions rather than generic fantasy, which helps the game stand out even among other homage-driven projects. The gameplay is built on a foundation of simplicity that quickly reveals its depth. Movement, jumping, and attacking form the core mechanics, and while these actions are easy to understand, they demand precision to execute effectively. Levels are filled with carefully placed enemies, traps, and hazards that require memorization and timing to overcome. Combat is deliberate, with different weapons offering unique trajectories and advantages, encouraging players to adapt their approach based on the situation. There is little room for improvisation in the traditional sense; success comes from learning patterns, refining execution, and gradually mastering each stage through repetition. Difficulty is central to the experience, and it is presented without compromise. The game does not ease players in gently, nor does it provide many modern conveniences to soften failure. Instead, it expects persistence, rewarding those who are willing to learn from repeated defeats. While this can be intimidating, the challenge is generally fair, built on consistent rules rather than unpredictability. Over time, sections that once felt overwhelming become manageable, and this transformation is where much of the satisfaction lies. It captures the essence of classic arcade design, where improvement is tied directly to player skill rather than in-game progression systems. The “EX” version expands on the original release with additional content, including new stages, enemies, and multiple endings. Achieving the true ending requires meeting specific conditions and uncovering hidden elements scattered throughout the game. These secrets are often obscure, reflecting an old-school approach that favors discovery through experimentation. While this adds replay value and depth, it can also feel cryptic, particularly for players used to clearer guidance. Still, this design choice reinforces the game’s commitment to its retro roots, for better or worse. Visually, the game excels in recreating the aesthetic of classic hardware. Its pixel art is detailed and expressive, with fluid animations and distinctive enemy designs that bring the world to life. The use of a 4:3 aspect ratio and optional visual filters enhances the illusion of playing on an older system, adding to the overall authenticity. The soundtrack, composed by Gryzor87, complements the visuals with energetic, retro-inspired tracks that maintain the game’s intensity, even if they serve more as atmospheric support than standout compositions. That said, the same qualities that define the game can also limit its appeal. Its strict adherence to old-school principles means that it lacks the accessibility and flexibility of modern platformers. The linear structure and relatively short runtime may leave some players wanting more variety, especially if they are not inclined to pursue alternate endings or higher levels of mastery. Additionally, the high difficulty can be a barrier, particularly for those unfamiliar with the genre’s unforgiving nature. In the end, Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX) is a confident and carefully crafted tribute that succeeds by fully committing to its vision. It offers a challenging, skill-driven experience that captures the spirit of classic arcade games while adding its own cultural and mechanical identity. It may not cater to everyone, but for players who appreciate precise gameplay, demanding challenges, and retro authenticity, it delivers a deeply rewarding journey that feels both timeless and distinctive. Rating: 8/10

Well made but I'm too old for this s**** For people who missed being abused by Ghost'n'Goblins.

It's a pretty good game and takes a lot of inspiration from Ghosts n Goblins and Spanish folklore. I like how you get good stuff if you crouch or hit The Christ sign. Anyways, the game has good and some bad aspects from old games as well. Like difficulty mostly being due to not so good controls and not as many checkpoints as modern games of same or similar genre. Good thing is, that it's still pretty fun if you enjoy metroidvania or 2D platformers or Pixel games in general. Anyways, you enjoy difficult game, with achievements only few can get, this is a game you should give a try. For casual players who just want the right difficulty? Not so much. Very few even get the normal ending, good ending need you to use at max 4 continues.

Cursed lands cry for steel Legends rise from haunted Spain Faith outshines the dark

I can't beat this, but I could with more practice. This is like if Ghosts n Goblins had the structure and pace of a Castlevania game. Real hardcore GnG fans may not like this but I think 90% of people will be at home. Smart indie design without feeling overly-modernized.

Maldita Castilla não é um jogo divertido. Ele tem um conceito legal, de ser um jogo baseado em Ghosts 'n Goblins, mas ele pega essa inspiração e aumenta em 500%. O jogo é desnecessariamente difícil, cheio de mortes baratas e inimigos que precisam de mais golpes para morrer do que você. Isso é outra coisa que detesto nesse jogo, os inimigos são muito mais fortes que você. Normalmente num jogo convencional, isso lhe daria o desafio de ter uma luta equilibrada. Maldita Castilla não tem lutas equilibradas. Você só tem 3 corações de vida, e os bosses parecem ter uma quantidade razoável de corações, mas eles levam 8 golpes só pra tirar um coração da vida deles? Onde que isso é justo, me diz! E outra, se você morrer muitas vezes, você automaticamente pega o final ruim e perde sua pontuação inteira, normalmente eu estaria pouco me importando pra isso, mas você morre e perde todos os seus upgrades. É aí que você percebe que sua arma base, a espada, é extremamente fraca. Então espere ficar preso nas boss fights por horas. Não há checkpoints, e os controles são tão travados que você parece estar num planeta onde você é mais pesado, pois sua movimentação é lenta e não dá para controlar seus pulos. O estopim de tudo foi na Floresta Amaldiçoada, onde você tem que carregar uma chave num labirinto, e se você morrer, você perde a chave e é obrigado a reiniciar todo o processo. Depois de quase uma hora preso nesse labirinto, eu consegui passar só pra chegar numa boss fight que tem DOIS BOSSES COM VIDA CHEIA. E o jogo nem lhe dá o capricho de um checkpoint ou recuperar sua vida, você tem que derrotar os dois bosses sem levar dano, afinal, 3 corações de vida que parecem ser só 1 e meio. Maldita Castilla tem uma pixel art bonita e músicas boas, mas a gameplay é tão injusta e tão desnecessariamente difícil, que torna o jogo praticamente injogável e nada agradável. Não me leve a mal, eu gosto de jogos desafiadores, mas existe uma diferença entre desafiador e totalmente injusto. Só jogue esse jogo se você gosta de sofrer de raiva, pois eu tenho pena daqueles que tentam zerar o jogo sem morrer. Não recomendo Maldita Castilla, e não vou mais jogar isso, quero meu dinheiro de volta, Steam.

Difícil, con controles toscos y simples, rezuma a sofá viejo y gachas que tira para atrás, vamos, lo que seria la vida de un niño victoriano leproso. Dejando de lado las coñas es una joyita, la inspiración en la cultura castellana es original y el juego tiene mucho mucho mimo, la banda sonora es muy muy buena, en definitiva es un arcade que merece una visita aun mas si buscas algo repleto de un folclore castellano tristemente muy de vez en cuando visitado dentro de este sector. Otra cosa no pero paciencia hay que tener, de todas formas el progreso es justo aunque eso si, no inmediato. En una comunidad saturada de triples as necesitamos tornar un poco la vista hacia experiencias mas simples como esta y dejar de lado las vanalidades que nos han colado hasta en la sopa.

Its obvious that this game is made to make its players mad, well congratulations; now I'm mad!

It's like another unofficial chapter in the Ghouls and Ghosts game series. It's not not challenging.

i was about to rate it a 9/10, but then later in the game theresa stage that completely ruins everything. its a silly maze punishment thing where if you take the wrong door, you get sent back to repeat the level. absolute insanity, i dont know why the developer decided to do that. i ended up quitting the game because i couldnt get the sequence. i still recommend the game though because im old and this game brings nostalga of the arcades and consoles from the early 90's. theres many familiar sounds taken right out of arcade classics and megadrive games, and when i recall them, it tickles my nostalga, and brings back memories of when the world was still a great place and i had no worries in life.